U.S. patent application number 15/486705 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-19 for article of apparel having enhanced mobility.
The applicant listed for this patent is NIKE, Inc.. Invention is credited to DONOVAN HARRIS.
Application Number | 20170295862 15/486705 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60040185 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170295862 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HARRIS; DONOVAN |
October 19, 2017 |
ARTICLE OF APPAREL HAVING ENHANCED MOBILITY
Abstract
An article of apparel comprising a first panel joined to a
second panel such that a neck opening, a right arm opening, a left
arm opening, and a waist opening are formed, and a midline plane
extends through the article of apparel from one side to the other
and through at least the neck opening, right arm opening, and left
arm opening to define an anterior portion and a posterior portion
of the article of apparel. In some aspects, the first panel extends
from the anterior portion to the posterior portion proximate to the
neck opening. In other aspects, the second panel extends to the
anterior portion inferior to the right arm opening and left arm
opening to a right seam and a left seam, respectively.
Inventors: |
HARRIS; DONOVAN; (Beaverton,
OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIKE, Inc. |
Beaverton |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60040185 |
Appl. No.: |
15/486705 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62323909 |
Apr 18, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/04 20130101; A41D
2400/38 20130101; A41D 2600/10 20130101; A41D 27/24 20130101; A41B
1/08 20130101; A41D 13/0015 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00; A41D 27/24 20060101 A41D027/24 |
Claims
1. An article of apparel comprising: a first panel having a
superior edge, a first right edge, a second right edge, a first
left edge, and a second left edge; a second panel having a superior
edge, a first right edge, a second right edge, a first left edge,
and a second left edge; a neck opening defined, at least in part,
by the first panel superior edge and the second panel superior
edge; a right arm opening defined, at least in part, by the first
panel first right edge and the second panel first right edge; a
left arm opening defined, at least in part, by the first panel
first left edge and the second panel first left edge; a midline
plane, the midline plane extending through the neck opening, the
right arm opening, and the left arm opening when the article of
apparel is in the as-worn position, wherein a first direction
normal to the midline plane defines an anterior portion of the
article of apparel and an opposite second direction normal to the
midline plane defines a posterior portion of the article of
apparel; a right seam extending inferior to the right arm opening
at the anterior portion, the right seam joining the first panel and
the second panel; and a left seam extending inferior to the left
arm opening at the anterior portion, the left seam joining the
first panel and the second panel, wherein the first panel extends
to the posterior portion of the article of apparel proximate to the
neck opening.
2. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the first panel first
right edge converges with the first panel second right edge at the
right arm opening, and wherein the first panel first left edge
converges with the first panel second left edge at the left arm
opening.
3. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the second panel
first right edge converges with the second panel second right edge
at the right arm opening, and wherein the second panel first left
edge converges with the second panel second left edge at the left
arm opening.
4. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the right seam joins
the first panel second right edge and the second panel second right
edge, and wherein the left seam joins the first panel second left
edge and the second panel second left edge.
5. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the second panel
first right edge is coupled to the first panel first right edge in
both the anterior portion and the posterior portion, and wherein
the second panel first left edge is coupled to the first panel
first left edge in both the anterior portion and the posterior
portion.
6. The article of apparel of claim 5, wherein the second panel
first right edge is coupled to the first panel first right edge in
the anterior portion at the right seam, and wherein the second
panel first left edge is coupled to the first panel first left edge
in the anterior portion at the left seam.
7. The article of apparel of claim 6 further comprising: a right
shoulder seam extending between the neck opening and the right arm
opening at the posterior portion, the right shoulder seam joining
the first panel and the second panel; and a left shoulder seam
extending between the neck opening and the left arm opening at the
posterior portion, the left shoulder seam joining the first panel
and the second panel.
8. The article of apparel of claim 1 further comprising: a right
lateral seam extending from the right seam towards the posterior
portion; and a left lateral seam extending from the left seam
towards the posterior portion.
9. The article of apparel of claim 8, wherein the right lateral
seam extends towards the posterior portion from the second panel
second right edge to the first panel second right edge, and wherein
the left lateral seam extends towards the posterior portion from
the second panel second left edge to the first panel second left
edge.
10. The article of apparel of claim 8, wherein the right seam
extends from the right arm hole to the right lateral seam, and
wherein the left seam extends from the left arm hole to the left
lateral seam.
11. The article of apparel of claim 10, wherein the second panel
second right edge overlaps the first panel second right edge
inferior to the right lateral seam, and wherein the second panel
second left edge overlaps the first panel second left edge inferior
to the left lateral seam.
12. The article of apparel of claim 8 further comprising: a first
panel inferior edge opposite the first panel superior edge; a
second panel inferior edge opposite the second panel superior edge;
and a waist opening defined, at least in part, by the first panel
inferior edge and the second panel inferior edge.
13. The article of apparel of claim 12, wherein the second panel
second right edge overlaps the first panel second right edge
superior to the first panel inferior edge and the second panel
inferior edge.
14. An article of apparel comprising: a first panel having a
superior edge, a first right edge, a posterior right edge, a first
left edge, and a posterior left edge; a second panel having a
superior edge, a first right edge, a posterior right edge, a first
left edge, and a posterior left edge; a neck opening defined, at
least in part, by the first panel superior edge and the second
panel superior edge; a right arm opening defined, at least in part,
by the first panel first right edge and the second panel first
right edge; a left arm opening defined, at least in part, by the
first panel first left edge and the second panel first left edge;
and a midline plane, the midline plane extending through the neck
opening, the right arm opening, and the left arm opening when the
article of apparel is in the as-worn position, wherein a first
direction normal to the midline plane defines an anterior portion
of the article of apparel and an opposite second direction normal
to the midline plane defines a posterior portion of the article of
apparel; wherein the first panel posterior right edge is joined to
the second panel at the posterior portion, and wherein the first
panel posterior left edge is joined to the second panel at the
posterior portion.
15. The article of apparel of claim 14 further comprising: a right
shoulder seam extending between the neck opening and the right arm
opening at the posterior portion, the right shoulder seam joining
the first panel and the second panel; and a left shoulder seam
extending between the neck opening and the left arm opening at the
posterior portion, the left shoulder seam joining the first panel
and the second panel.
16. The article of apparel of claim 15, wherein the right shoulder
seam joins the first panel posterior right edge to the second panel
first right edge, and wherein the left shoulder seam joins the
first panel posterior left edge to the second panel first left
edge.
17. The article of apparel of claim 14, wherein the second panel
first right edge is coupled to the first panel first right edge in
both the anterior portion and the posterior portion, and wherein
the second panel first left edge is coupled to the first panel
first left edge in both the anterior portion and the posterior
portion.
18. The article of apparel of claim 14, wherein a smallest distance
between the right arm opening and the left arm opening at the
posterior portion is smaller than a smallest distance between the
right arm opening and the left arm opening at the anterior
portion.
19. The article of apparel of claim 14, wherein the neck opening is
defined only by the first panel superior edge at the anterior
portion and wherein the neck opening is defined in part by the
first panel superior edge and in part by the second panel superior
edge at the posterior portion.
20. The article of apparel of claim 14, wherein the angle formed
between the first panel first right edge and the second panel first
right edge at the posterior portion is an acute angle, and wherein
the angle formed between the first panel first left edge and the
second panel first left edge at the posterior portion is an acute
angle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/323,909, filed Apr. 18, 2016, titled "Article of
Apparel Having Enhanced Mobility," having Attorney Docket Number
NIKE.254703/160170US01, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure is directed to an article of apparel having
improved shoulder and upper arm mobility characteristics.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Sleeveless and tank-style garments are utilized in various
contexts to provide increased mobility to and moderate the body
temperature of a wearer. For example, basketball jerseys are often
constructed as sleeveless or tank-style garments. Some styles of
sleeveless and tank-style garments are constructed from two panels
of fabric joined at seams extending along the midline of the
garment up the sides between the waist opening and arm openings and
between the arm openings and neck opening. These styles of
sleeveless and tank-style garments include various drawbacks, such
as restricted range-of-motion, which may limit the ability of the
wearer to fully extend his or her arms back or up. In addition,
these styles of sleeveless and tank-style garments are limited to
integrating vents along the seam on the side of the garment in an
area not usually associated with movement of the wearer resulting
in the vents remaining closed. These are only some of the exemplary
issues presented by some typical sleeveless and tank-style
garments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Examples of the present invention are described in detail
below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary
article of apparel in accordance with an aspect provided
herein;
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a back elevation view of the exemplary
article of apparel of FIG. 1 in accordance with an aspect provided
herein; and
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a right side elevation view of the
exemplary article of apparel of FIG. 1 in accordance with an aspect
provided herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Subject matter is described throughout this disclosure in
detail and with specificity in order to meet statutory
requirements. But the aspects described throughout this disclosure
are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and the
description itself is not intended necessarily to limit the scope
of the claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be
practiced in other ways to include different elements or
combinations of elements that are equivalent to the ones described
in this disclosure. In other words, the intended scope of the
claims, and the other subject matter described in this
specification, includes equivalent features, materials, methods of
construction, and other aspects not expressly described or depicted
in this application in the interests of concision, but which would
be understood by an ordinarily skilled artisan in the relevant art
in light of the full disclosure provided herein as being included
within the inventive scope. It will be understood that certain
features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed
without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is
contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
[0009] Throughout this description, the term "as-worn position"
will be used when discussing the orientation of the disclosed
article of apparel. The as-worn position of the article of apparel
denotes the position the article of apparel is in when donned by a
wearer. Hence, in the as-worn position, a shirt will be oriented
such that a neck opening will be at the top of the shirt and near
the upper end of the wearer's torso. Similarly, in the as-worn
position, the shirt will be oriented such that a waist opening will
be at the bottom of the shirt and near the waist of the wearer.
However, the subject matter is described in an as-worn position
merely to assist the reader in understanding relative terminology
and should not be implied to require a human being (or other living
being) to understand or interpret the subject matter of this
disclosure.
[0010] As used throughout this disclosure, the terms "securing" or
"affixing" mean either releasably or permanently attaching objects
together using affixing technologies such as stitching, bonding,
welding, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, and the like.
[0011] At a high level, the present invention provides an article
of apparel comprised of a first panel joined to a second panel to
form a neck opening, a right arm opening, a left arm opening, and a
waist opening. The article of apparel may be divided into an
anterior portion and a posterior portion by a midline plane
extending through the article of apparel and intersecting at least
the neck opening, the right arm opening and the left arm opening.
In some aspects, the first panel may be positioned at the anterior
portion and the second panel may be positioned at the posterior
portion except that part of the first panel may extend into the
posterior portion proximate to the neck opening and that part of
the second panel may extend into the anterior portion inferior to
the right arm opening and left arm opening. The first panel may be
joined to the second panel inferior to the right arm opening at a
right seam and inferior to the left arm opening at a left seam. The
right seam and the left seam may each be in the anterior portion.
The first panel may also be joined to the second panel proximate to
the neck opening at a right shoulder seam and at a left shoulder
seam. The right shoulder seam and the left shoulder seam may each
be in the posterior portion. A narrowest distance between the right
arm opening and the left arm opening may be smaller in the
posterior portion than in the anterior portion allowing the wearer
a greater range of motion when lifting his or her arms up or
extending them back. Further, the right seam and the left seam may
terminate superior to the waist opening to allow the unjoined
portions of the first panel and the second panel to form a vent
inferior to each seam. Positioning the vents at the anterior
portion may align them with a portion of the wearer associated with
movement of the wearer resulting in the vents opening as the wearer
moves (for example, the vents may open as the wearer lifts his or
her legs to run).
[0012] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a front elevation, rear
elevation and right side elevation depict an article of apparel 10,
in accordance with aspects hereof. As depicted herein, the article
of apparel 10 may be a shirt. For example, the article may be a
sleeveless shirt for use in connection with a sporting activity,
such as basketball, that includes arm movements that benefit from
greater mobility. For example, in a basketball shooting motion, the
player may raise his or her arms above their head during the
shooting action. This superior movement of the arms may benefit
from enhanced shoulder and arm mobility provided by the article of
apparel 10. Further, continuing with the basketball theme, a player
may position his or her arms above their head and extend the arms
in a posterior direction in preparation to pass or throw a ball. As
the arms in this example may have a range of motion extending from
the posterior to anterior portions of the player's body, an
enhanced shoulder and arm movement article of apparel may be
advantageous. While the previous examples focus on basketball, it
is contemplated that an article of apparel having features provided
herein may be implemented in connection with any activity that may
benefit from enhanced shoulder movement and/or thermal
regulation.
[0013] The article of apparel 10 may comprise a first panel 12
joined to a second panel 30. In some aspects, each of the first
panel 12 and the second panel 30 may comprise unitary panels of
fabric. In other aspects, the first panel 12 and/or the second
panel 30 may be formed from a plurality of sub-panels. For example,
the first panel 12 may include a trim piece (e.g., trim piece 13,
15, and/or 17) secured to one or more of the first panel 12 edges.
Each of the first panel 12 and the second panel 30 may be woven,
knit, non-woven fiber, and/or sheet-like. For example, the panels
may be constructed from any material (e.g., textile).
[0014] The first panel 12 may include a first right edge 14, a
second right edge 16, a first left edge 18, a second left edge 20,
an inferior edge 22, a superior edge 24, a posterior right edge 26,
and a posterior left edge 28. The second panel 30 may include a
first right edge 32, a second right edge 34, a first left edge 36,
a second left edge 38, an inferior edge 40, and a superior edge 42.
It is understood that in aspects where the first panel 12 and/or
the second panel 30 are formed from a plurality of sub-panels, each
of the edges referred to above refers to the exterior edge (e.g.,
outer perimeter) of the composite panel formed from the plurality
of sub-panels. For example, where the second panel 30 includes a
major sub-panel and a trim piece 19 affixed along the superior edge
of the major sub-panel (as shown in FIG. 2) the second panel 30
includes both the major sub-panel and the trim piece 19. Continuing
such example, the second panel superior edge 42 refers to the free
edge of the trim piece 19 forming the neck opening 44 (as shown in
FIG. 2).
[0015] The first panel 12 may be joined to the second panel 30 such
that a neck opening 44, a right arm opening 46, a left arm opening
48 and a waist opening 50 are formed. In some aspects, the neck
opening 44 may be formed by the first panel superior edge 24 and
the second panel superior edge 42. In other aspects, the neck
opening 44 may be formed by at least the first panel superior edge
24 and the second panel superior edge 42.
[0016] The right arm opening 46 may be formed by the first panel
first right edge 14 and the second panel first right edge 32.
Likewise, the left arm opening 48 may be formed by the first panel
first left edge 18 and the second panel first left edge 36. In some
aspects, the right arm opening 46 may be formed by at least the
first panel first right edge 14 and the second panel first right
edge 32. In other aspects, the left arm opening 48 may be formed by
at least the first panel first left edge 18 and the second panel
first left edge 36. A first edge and a second edge may form a
continuous edge where the first is superior to the second.
Furthermore, it is contemplated that a first edge and a second edge
may transition at an opening, a feature of the panel, or other
geometric variation. For example, if a continuous edge includes an
angular change, a first edge may be located at a superior location
of the angular change and a second edge may be located inferior to
the angular change. Other variations in a panel edge may guide
where a first and second edge originate and/or terminate.
[0017] The waist opening 50 may be formed by the first panel
inferior edge 22 and the second panel inferior edge 40, according
to aspects described herein. In other aspects, the waist opening 50
may be formed from at least the first panel inferior edge 22 and
the second panel inferior edge 40. For example, the waist opening
50 may be formed by the first panel inferior edge 22, the second
panel inferior edge 40, the first panel second right edge 16, the
first panel second left edge 20, the second panel second right edge
34, and the second panel second left edge 38.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, the article of apparel 10 may be
divided by a midline plane 52 into an anterior portion 54 and a
posterior portion 56. The anterior portion 54 may be defined by a
direction normal to the midline plane 52, while the posterior
portion 56 may be defined by an opposite second direction normal to
the midline plane 52. For example, when the article of apparel 10
is in the as-worn position the anterior portion may refer to a
front portion of the article and the posterior portion may refer to
a rear (e.g., back) portion of the article. In some aspects, the
midline plane 52 may extend through the neck opening, the right arm
opening, and the left arm opening when the article of apparel 10 is
in the as-worn position. In other aspects, the midline plane 52 may
bisect the article of apparel 10 dividing the article evenly
between the anterior portion 54 and the posterior portion 56. In
still other aspects, the midline plane 52 may be forward or
rearward of center making one of the anterior portion 54 or the
posterior portion 56 of the article of apparel 10 larger than the
other.
[0019] The first panel 12 may be positioned at the anterior portion
54 and the second panel 30 may be positioned at the posterior
portion 56. In some aspects, portions of the first panel 12 may
extend into the posterior portion 56 proximate to the neck opening
44. In other aspects, portions of the second panel 30 may extend
into the anterior portion 54 inferior to the right arm opening 46,
the left arm opening 48, or both the right arm opening 46 and the
left arm opening 48. The first panel 12 may form a portion of the
anterior portion 54 and/or a portion of the posterior portion 56,
in exemplary aspects.
[0020] In one aspect, the neck opening 44 may be formed by the
first panel superior edge 24 at the anterior portion 54 and by both
the first panel superior edge 24 and the second panel superior edge
42 at the posterior portion 56.
[0021] In some aspects, the first panel first right edge 14 may
converge with the first panel second right edge 16 at the right arm
opening 46 and the first panel first left edge 18 may converge with
the first panel second left edge 20 at the left arm opening 48. In
other aspects, the second panel first right edge 32 may converge
with the second panel second right edge 34 at the right arm opening
46 and the second panel first left edge 36 may converge with the
second panel second left edge 38 at the left arm opening 48. The
two right edges and the two left edges of either the first panel 12
or the second panel 30 may converge at the anterior portion 54.
[0022] The right arm opening 46 and the left arm opening 48 may be
formed by joining the first panel first right edge 14 to the second
panel first right edge 32 at two locations and by joining the
second panel first left edge 36 to the first panel first left edge
18 at two locations. In some aspects, the second panel first right
edge 32 may be joined to the first panel first right edge 14 at a
location 21 on the anterior portion 54 and at a location 23 on the
posterior portion 56. Similarly, the second panel first left edge
36 may be joined to the first panel first left edge at the anterior
portion 54 and at the posterior portion 56.
[0023] Referring back to FIG. 1, the first panel 12 may be joined
to the second panel 30 at a right seam 58 and a left seam 60. In
some aspects, the right seam 58 may join the first panel second
right edge 16 to the second panel second right edge 34. In other
aspects, one or more of the first panel second right edge 16 and
the second panel second right edge 34 may overlap one another and
extend beyond the right seam 58. Similarly, the left seam 60 may
join the first panel second left edge 20 and the second panel
second left edge 38. In yet other aspects, one or more of the first
panel second left edge 20 and the second panel second left edge 38
may overlap one another and extend beyond the left seam 60.
[0024] The first panel 12 may also be joined to the second panel 30
at a right lateral seam 62 and a left lateral seam 64. Each of the
right lateral seam 62 and the left lateral seam 64 may partially
extend circumferentially around the article of apparel 10, when in
the as-worn position. For example, in aspects where the first panel
second right edge 16 overlaps the second panel second right edge
34, the right lateral seam 62 may extend from the second panel
second right edge 34 to the first panel second right edge 16 when
the first panel 12 and the second panel 30 overlap at the right
lateral seam 62. In other aspects, the right lateral seam 62 may
extend beyond the first panel second right edge 16 towards the
posterior portion 56. In some aspects, the left lateral seam 64 may
be configured as a mirror image of the right lateral seam 62. For
example, in aspects where the first panel second left edge 20
overlaps the second panel second left edge 38, the left lateral
seam 64 may extend from the second panel second left edge 38 to the
first panel second left edge 20.
[0025] The right seam 58 may extend inferior from the right arm
opening 46, in accordance with aspects described herein. In some
aspects, the right seam 58 may extend from a location inferior to
the right arm opening 46 to the right lateral seam 62. Likewise,
the left seam 60 may extend inferior from the left arm opening 48
to the left lateral seam 64. In other aspects, the right seam 58
may extend to a location inferior to or superior to the right
lateral seam 62. Likewise, the left seam 60 may extend to a
location inferior to or superior to the left lateral seam 64. The
right lateral seam 62 and the left lateral seam 64 may provide
additional support to help prevent the article of apparel 10 from
tearing apart at the right seam 58 and left seam 60,
respectively.
[0026] A portion of the first panel 12 may overlap a portion of the
second panel 30 at each of the right lateral seam 62 and the left
lateral seam 64. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 a portion of the
first panel 12 overlaps a portion of the second panel 30 such that
at least a portion of the first panel second right edge 16 is
positioned nearer the posterior portion than at least a portion of
the second panel second right edge 34 at the right lateral seam 62.
In aspects, the first panel 12 and the second panel 30 may overlap
one another inferior to the right lateral seam 62. In some aspects,
each of the first panel second right edge 16 and the second panel
second right edge 34 may freely extend inferior to the right
lateral seam 62 to the first panel inferior edge 22 and the second
panel inferior edge 40, respectively. In other aspects, the first
panel second right edge 16 and the second panel second right edge
34 may taper away from one another as they extend towards the first
panel inferior edge 22 and the second panel inferior edge 40,
respectively, to form a right vent. In aspects, the left side of
the article of apparel 10 may be a mirror image of the right side
of the article of apparel 10 as described above.
[0027] In some aspects, the right seam 58 and the left seam 60 are
each positioned at the anterior portion 54. In further aspects, the
first panel second right edge 16, the first panel second left edge
20, the second panel second right edge 34, the second panel second
left edge 38, the right lateral seam 62, and the left lateral seam
64 may each be positioned, in addition to the right seam 58 and the
left seam 60, at the anterior portion 54. In still further aspects,
any vents formed by overlapping, tapering edges of the first panel
12 and the second panel 30 may also be positioned in the anterior
portion 54.
[0028] Returning to FIG. 2, the first panel 12 may be positioned at
the anterior portion 54 and may extend into the posterior portion
56 such that the first panel posterior right edge 26 and the first
panel posterior left edge 28 are joined to the second panel at the
posterior portion 56. In some aspects, the first panel posterior
right edge 26 may be joined to the second panel first right edge 32
and the first panel posterior left edge 28 may be joined to the
second panel first left edge 36.
[0029] In other aspects, the article of apparel 10 may include a
right shoulder seam 66 and a left shoulder seam 68. The right
shoulder seam 66 may extend from the neck opening 44 to the right
arm opening 46 (e.g., the location 23 of FIG. 3) Likewise, the left
shoulder seam 68 may extend from the neck opening 44 to the left
arm opening 48. Each of the right shoulder seam 66 and the left
shoulder seam 68 may be positioned at the posterior portion 56, in
accordance with some aspects.
[0030] The right shoulder seam 66 may join the first panel
posterior right edge 26 to the second panel 30. For example, the
first panel posterior right edge 26 may be affixed to the second
panel first right edge 32 at the right shoulder seam 66. Similarly,
the left shoulder seam 68 may join the first panel posterior left
edge 28 to the second panel 30. For example, the first panel
posterior left edge 28 may be affixed to the second panel first
left edge 36 at the left shoulder seam 68.
[0031] In some aspects, an angle .theta. presented between the
first panel first right edge 14 and the first panel posterior right
edge 26 may be an acute angle, as depicted in FIG. 2. In other
aspects, the angle .theta. presented between the first panel first
left edge 18 and the first panel posterior left edge 28 may also be
an acute angle.
[0032] In the as-worn position, the first panel first right edge 14
may have a most centered (e.g., nadir location on a curved portion
of the first left edge 18) anterior point 70 and the first panel
first left edge 18 may have a most centered anterior point 72 and a
distance 78 between anterior points 70, 72 may be the shortest
distance between the first panel first right edge 14 and the first
panel first left edge 18 at the anterior portion 54. Similarly, the
first panel first right edge 14 may have a most centered posterior
point 74 and the first panel first left edge 18 may have a most
centered posterior point 76 and a distance 80 between them may be
the shortest distance between the first panel first right edge 14
and the first panel first left edge 18 in the posterior portion 56.
In some aspects, the distance 78 is larger than the distance 80 and
may allow for increased mobility of the wearer in the upper arm and
shoulder area.
[0033] While the left side elevation is not depicted, it is
contemplated in an exemplary aspect that the left side mirrors
elements and features of the right side elevation of FIG. 3, in an
exemplary aspect. However, it is contemplated that alternative
configurations may exist. For example, a lateral seam, arm opening,
seam length, edge configuration, and the like may be different
between a right side and a left side to accommodate a different
dominant hand/side for a wearer. For example, a right-handed
shooter in basketball may have a different mobility scenario with a
right arm than a left arm, in an exemplary aspect. As such, the
right side and the left side may be constructed with differing
characteristics, in an exemplary aspect.
[0034] Some aspects of this disclosure have been described with
respect to the illustrative examples provided by FIGS. 1-3.
Additional aspects of the disclosure will now be described that may
related subject matter included in one or more claims of this
application, or one or more related applications, but the claims
are not limited to only the subject matter described in the below
portions of this description. These additional aspects may include
features illustrated by FIGS. 1-3, features not illustrated by
FIGS. 1-3, and any combination thereof. When describing these
additional aspects, reference may or may not be made to elements
depicted by FIGS. 1-3.
[0035] In one exemplary aspect, this disclosure is directed to an
article of apparel comprising a first panel joined to a second
panel. Each of the first panel and the second panel may have at
least a superior edge, a first right edge, a second right edge, a
first left edge, and a second left edge. The first panel may be
joined to the second panel to form a neck opening, a right arm
opening, and a left arm opening. For example, the neck opening may
be defined, at least in part, by the first panel superior edge and
the second panel superior edge. Similarly, the right arm opening
may be defined, at least in part, by the first panel first right
edge and the second panel first right edge. Likewise, the left arm
opening may be defined, at least in part, by the first panel first
left edge and the second panel first left edge. A midline plane may
extend through the neck opening, the right arm opening, and the
left arm opening when the article of apparel is in the as-worn
position. A first direction normal to the midline plane may define
an anterior portion of the article of apparel. An opposite second
direction normal to the midline plane may define a posterior
portion of the article of apparel. A right seam may extend inferior
to the right arm opening at the anterior portion and a left seam
may extend inferior to the left arm opening at the anterior
portion. The right seam and the left seam may join the first panel
and the second panel. The second panel may be positioned at the
posterior portion except the second panel may extend to the right
seam and the left seam at the anterior portion. The first panel may
be positioned at the anterior portion except that the first panel
may extend to the posterior portion of the article of apparel
proximate to the neck opening.
[0036] In another exemplary aspect, this disclosure is directed to
an article of apparel comprising a first panel joined to a second
panel. Each of the first panel and the second panel may have at
least a superior edge, a first right edge, and a first left edge.
In addition, the first panel may also include a posterior right
edge and a posterior left edge. The first panel may be joined to
the second panel to form a neck opening, a right arm opening, and a
left arm opening. For example, the neck opening may be defined, at
least in part, by the first panel superior edge and the second
panel superior edge. Similarly, the right arm opening may be
defined, at least in part, by the first panel first right edge and
the second panel first right edge. Likewise, the left arm opening
may be defined, at least in part, by the first panel first left
edge and the second panel first left edge. A midline plane may
extend through the neck opening, the right arm opening, and the
left arm opening when the article of apparel is in the as-worn
position. A first direction normal to the midline plane may define
an anterior portion of the article of apparel. An opposite second
direction normal to the midline plane may define a posterior
portion of the article of apparel. The first panel may be
positioned at the anterior portion and may extend to the posterior
portion such that the first panel posterior right edge and the
first panel posterior left edge are joined to the second panel at
the posterior portion.
[0037] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this subject matter
is adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth
together with other advantages, which are obvious and which are
inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain
features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed
without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is
contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many
possible variations and alternatives may be made without departing
from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter
herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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